Palm Beach, Beach intro.The southeast Florida resort of Palm Beach sits on a barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. The mansions that sprawl along the beachfront attest to the city's history as a resort for the rich and famous. Several Palm Beach Beach hotels are housed in majestic old edifices. The island itself is an ambient location, and small enough to travel around by bicycle or, as many locals do, on rollerblades. The resort offers a full range of water sports, among which are waterskiing, scuba-diving and fishing. The soft white sands are ideal for relaxing on and then taking a cooling dip in the ocean. There are two island golf courses. Sightseeing draws include the Four Arts Botanical Gardens and the Flagler Museum's ornate chambers and period furnishings. The gardens feature Spanish and tropical sections, and numerous sculptures by luminaries such as Philip Jackson. Worth Avenue is one of the finest shopping streets in the US, with around 300 upscale stores and galleries of major retailers including Tiffany.